Also, just an FYI: if anyone is looking for a non-down insulated jacket, the synthetic Columbia poofy jacket that is lined with that OmniHeat stuff is amazing. Mine came as part of a 3-way coat (outer waterproof shell that the inner poofy part zips into). I can't even wear it when I hike because it reflects body heat so well I end up overheating.[/quote]

Awesome to know...thanks for the tip!

_________________I once caught the clap from a salty navy bean on shore leave. Damn beans.--Desdemona

I've got the same question about socks! I tried giving up wool as a vegetarian, but never quite made it (smart wool socks were the only hold out). I've been vegan almost a year now (yay)! and I am definitely gonna have to replace these smartwools soon.

My husband got me some AWESOME synthetic (as in, not down) booties for my birthday. I just wear them around the house, but they are made for winter camping. They are super warm. The brand is Baffen Polar Proven.

Speaking of which...warmest, most light-weight 3-season sleeping bag? I really need a new bag, and I really want a light weight one! Anyone been researching light weight synthetic bags lately?

I have no idea about sleeping bags, but let me know when you find out! I'll have to replace my 3 season bag if I end up wanting to hike in late spring/early fall and I also want a light weight bag!

I fell in love with one of those Columbia coats lined with the reflective stuff and I can't bring myself to go back to the store I saw it at for fear I'll have to buy it when I really can't afford a new coat. And add me to the 'looking for something to replace smartwool socks' club.

Tenacious LD - I don't think I'll be able to make it over to those parks, but only because we're moving to Montana in a few months and we'll get to do some really fun hiking there.

Congrats on the move, Catalina- sounds like there are mountains in your future! What part of Montana are you moving to? I spent a spring & summer just outside of Missoula. We've had a few great backpacking trips to Montana since living in Idaho, too.

_________________I once caught the clap from a salty navy bean on shore leave. Damn beans.--Desdemona

It's finally backpacking time (for me, I've apparently started hating anything hiking related when it's NOT warm out) again! i'm going out this weekend on a quick/easy 22 miler over two days in lowlands mass. Right along the midstate trail, which is super exciting as I've always wanted to check it out!

I'm also being lazy and not wanting to find a small amount of denatured alcohol, so I'm going stoveless. Food is banana chips, some clif bars, pita bread I had in the refrigerator, crackers and peanut butter. And some applesauce. heh. The others will probably at least be cooking and I'll just sit there and eat my pita + peanut butter!!

I know this is a hiking thread not a kayaking, but I think the question is related enough...

I have a 2 day overnight kayak/camping trip this weekend and a 4 day overnight kayak/camping trip in August. I'm looking for ideas on vegan meals. Like backpacking, I need to conserve space (although not nearly as strictly) but unlike backpacking, weight is not much of an issue with long distance kayaking, so canned goods are fine. I'm not planning on bringing my hiking stove this weekend for the 2 day trip but will probably bring it for the 4 day trip.

This are some of the things I had in mind to bring this weekend (no stove)

On the 4 day trip I'll take my hiking stove so dinner will be cans of vegan chili, soup, etc. and hot oatmeal for breakfast.

Any other ideas would be much appreciated!

Thanks

And btw, here's some pics of my dog Joey riding along with me.. He doesn't come on overnight trips though. And I only took his PFD off for the pictures, even though he's a great swimmer, he always wears one.

Last edited by Tynamite on Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Sounds like you have a good variety of savory and sweet and your dog is awesome!

When a stove is available I have to admit I actually like the vegan options of freeze dried food. I buy them in bulk from Campmor and feel a little better about the expense.

How are those prepared meals from Campmor? Are there any particular vegan ones you suggest? I know most people think of them as mail order but I actually live about 15 minutes from their actual store/headquarters. It's probably my favorite store in the world.

The food coop in my city has a dried, powdered bean mix that you re-hydrate with hot water, so you might look for something like that at Trader Joe's or a coop near you. I like to use it for making burritos. Tortillas generally hold up well for backpacking, so they would probably also do fine on a boat trip. This is probably one of the more filling backpacking meals I've made, and if you have space for extras like diced tomatoes (I cheat and drain a can of rotel and pack it in a ziplock), a baggie of cilantro, a block of daiya, some olives, and whatever else, you'd have a pretty great meal.

ETA: Yay for boat dogs!

ETA again: I forgot you said no stove. I think you could easily re-hydrate a bean mix with tepid water, but it might take a little longer.

I just found this thread. This weekend my boyfriend & I want to go hiking. We will have breakfast on saturday and then leave. We will back on sunday, so I think the only meals we need are: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch. We can't cook so I'm a bit unsure what to take with me. What kind of food is okay to eat on sunday? I thought... pizza pockets maybe? I dont know. Help would be appreciated.

_________________

lepelaar wrote:

The PPK is a mere cooking seminar for flexitarians who believe in the good of man, but might be a good resource for 3d video expertise and ready-made inhumane slaughterhouse timelines.

VeganinBerlin, can you elaborate on what you mean by "hiking this weekend"? What is your actual trip going to look like? Are you doing day hikes each day and leaving from home or are you going to be camping and doing hikes from the campsite? Will you have any cooking facilities (camp stove or firepit)? Will you have a car? I have lots of suggestion for yummy hiking/camping food but they depend on what kind of trip this is.

We're going to Glacier! In about two and a half weeks. It's just a long weekend - Thursday through Sunday - but I'm so excited. We won't be doing any backcountry camping this time, but we'll be checking it out for next time. I'm hoping to get a year pass and go back in the spring. It's my first time there so if anyone has any day hikes to recommend or favorites campgrounds I'd love to hear about them. We're debating between camping in one of the more secluded spots and then driving to all the trailheads or staying in one of the bigger campgrounds where the trailheads are.

Envious! Glacier is beautiful. It's been years and years since I was there, but you will no doubt enjoy wherever you are. The Going to the Sun road is best at daybreak before the traffic and when the animals are out.

Oh, and an awesome soundtrack. At my showing the band was there and played for us live. A couple of the band members did the Whitney part of the hike and played an impromptu song at the top.(Opus Orange is the band.)

I'm baaack! We just spent thanksgiving weekend in the Sierras south of Tahoe and are keen to do a backpacking trip through the Desolation Wilderness ASAP. Boy, winter camping is tough though. With 3 layers, a 20 deg bag, liner, and thermarest we were warm in 10 deg weather but there was way too much bulk! So, any updates about lightweight sleeping bags? I'm looking for a 0-deg bag under 4 lb.

Also, anyone ever backpacked with their dog? What do you do for sleeping arrangements? I saw a backpacking dog bed on Amazon but it doesn't look very warm. Our pup was *not* happy at night :(

Still looking for warm socks. I am using sock liners now, which helps with wicking but my feet are still pretty dang cold.

Ah I forgot to mention, husband wants to start doing ultra light weight backpacking (20 lb load). I'm not giving up my cushy 5 lb backpack and aside from upgrading my sleeping back and pad I'm not sure what else to do. We already use bladders for water and a jetboil for cooking. Food is basically the add water stuff. Do you guys have any tips?

Also, anyone ever backpacked with their dog? What do you do for sleeping arrangements? I saw a backpacking dog bed on Amazon but it doesn't look very warm. Our pup was *not* happy at night :(

We take our big dog, Early, with us even when it's pretty cold. We use a small Thermarest ridgerest, but you could also get a cheap blue foamie sleeping pad and cut it to doggie's size. We also use a comforter that my bf used to use with his Thermarest sleep system; it packs up pretty small. I think a child's sleeping bag might work, or a small insulated synthetic throw blanket. The main thing is creating insulation under the dog and having something to wrap around them and trap body heat. We also make sure he is pretty close to us, sometimes we put his bed between our feet so our sleeping bags add to his insulation.

Ah I forgot to mention, husband wants to start doing ultra light weight backpacking (20 lb load). I'm not giving up my cushy 5 lb backpack and aside from upgrading my sleeping back and pad I'm not sure what else to do. We already use bladders for water and a jetboil for cooking. Food is basically the add water stuff. Do you guys have any tips?

Give up your pack. Sorry! HUGE difference. I hiked with a 3-4 pound pack while thru-hiking now I have a just over 2lb one which is fantastic and not the lightest ever (For the record: Granite Gear vapor ki). Get the sleeping bag weight as light as you can. Use an alcohol stove because it's light.

-Tarptent. Or just a tarp, depending. I have a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo which is on the heavier side of a tarp tents and comes in at 27oz plus stakes.

Use a plastic spork! Reduce the number of clothes, see if anything can serve a double purpose.

For overnights in the summer, I often skip the stove and eat cold so I don't carry that weight. I end up carrying except water probably somewhere around 15-20lbs. At the most.

It's a lot of trial and error and getting lighter stuff but also figuring out what you can do without.

For me in the summer (keep in mind I haven't actually backpacked in a while) it looks like this: Vapor Ki pack ~2.2 pounds40 degree sleeping bag (pre-vegan) ~1.75 poundsthermarest, 1/2 length .75 poundsheadlamp (4 oz?)MaplighterString for hoisting a bear bag, just in caseLight hatLight pair of glovesThermal layer for the top, weather dependent also bottomsRain jacketExtra pair of socksFOODWater

And probably a few other random bits and pieces that I'm forgetting. As it gets colder, my clothes section gets longer and my bag switches to a warmer bag. I also carry a book because I need a book for the evening.